Can dark-skinned people get a sunburn?

You might think you don’t need sunscreen if you have Black or brown skin. After all, the extra melanin that creates darker skin tones does provide some extra protection. But it’s still important to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.

“If you have dark skin, you’ve been gifted some natural protection, but that has limits,” says Saira George, M.D., a dermatologist at MD Anderson in Sugar Land.

Here are her skin safety tips if you have brown or dark skin.

Dark skin can get sunburn

Dark skin has more melanin, which is the substance that creates color in skin, eyes and hair. If your skin is darker, it means you have more of a type of melanin that can absorb a certain amount of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. But likely won’t be enough to completely prevent sunburn.

“A lot of my friends don’t believe me when I tell them I’ve had a sunburn before at the beach,” says George. “I wish I could say I don’t have any sun damage, but I know I have picked some up over the years.”

A history of sunburns increases your risk for skin cancer, so sun protection is important for everyone, whether that means covering up, staying in the shade or using sunscreen.

Skin cancer is not the only issue.

People with darker skin are less likely to develop skin cancer, but skin cancer prevention isn’t the only reason to protect your skin from the sun. Pigmentation problems, like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma, are much more common in people with darker skin, and the sun makes them much worse.  

Too much sun exposure is also one of the biggest causes of early aging, no matter your skin tone. Certain medications and medical conditions can also make you more sensitive to the sun, regardless of your skin’s color.

Sunscreens have improved.

For a long time, sunscreens were hard to use. “Some were infamous for being chalky and white, or hard to blend in if you had darker skin. But that’s changing now,” says George.

Sunscreens are available in lots of different formulations for all different skin types. They also contain different active ingredients that protect the skin in different ways.

Mineral sunscreens help protect our skin by blocking cancer-causing and photoaging ultraviolet rays while chemical ones absorb them. Mineral sunscreens also block visible light, which is known to worsen pigmentation problems, especially in people with darker skin. 

“One of my favorite options for patients with brown or dark skin are tinted mineral sunscreens. They help even out skin tone and prevent hyperpigmentation while also protecting you from skin cancer,” says George.

Low risk for skin cancer does not mean no risk.

People of color are at lower risk for skin cancer, but cases do happen. So, it’s important to keep it on your radar.

“When skin cancers occur among people of color, they are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed at a later stage. This happens because they are uncommon and not something most patients or providers know to look out for,” says George. 

Watch for the ABCDEs of melanoma

No matter the color of your skin, watch for unusual “outlier” spots or new or changing moles using the ABCDEs of melanoma and report them to your doctor.

Unusual moles may appear asymmetrical (A) or have a crooked border (B).

The color is also important – abnormal moles are often multi-colored or have a change in color (C).

If a mole or spot on your skin has a diameter (D) of more than 6 millimeters or the size of a pencil eraser, that may also indicate a problem. Finally look at how the mole changes over time, or its evolution (E).

Some of the ABCDEs may be harder to see in darker skin because of the lack of contrast between moles and skin color, so check carefully on all parts of your body.

Melanoma is often found in people with brown or dark skin in between the toes, the soles of the feet, under fingernails and toenails, or on the palms of the hands.

Find your sweet spot for sun protection.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation for sun protection for people with darker skin. “More research is needed on how to best tailor sun protection for people based on their skin color,” George says. 

That being said, she says one of the best things we can all do is be familiar with our skin and be sun smart. “When it comes to sun damage, a tan is like a warning signal, and a sunburn is like an emergency alarm,” George says. 

Get to know your skin so you can use appropriate protection before signs of damage appear. For most people, this means when you’re outside, seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wear a hat and clothing with UPF protection, and use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or higher.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.